When our daughter turned 9 months old, my husband, Jake, and I decided it was time to introduce her to more solid foods, as per her pediatrician’s advice. We cautiously began with low-allergy foods such as peas, peaches, carrots, and potatoes. While she was not overly enthusiastic about solid foods, we were relieved to see she had no immediate negative reactions.
One evening, while enjoying burgers, I thought it wouldn’t hurt to give her a few small pieces of a burger bun. However, not long after she had some, we noticed she started coughing. My son, who was around 2 at the time and had never had any food issues, didn’t cause alarm initially. But as her coughing escalated, we realized something was seriously wrong. Her desperate expression was a clear plea for help.
I will never forget that feeling of helplessness. My wife, Sarah, quickly recognized it as a severe allergic reaction and urged me to call 911. Emergency responders arrived promptly and transported my daughter to the hospital, while I held our frightened son, feeling utterly powerless.
At the hospital, she received steroids and a potent antihistamine. After several hours of monitoring, she was sent home, but I was left in shock, unsure of what had triggered this reaction. A nurse suggested we see an allergist as soon as possible. We suspected the burger bun was the culprit, particularly because it had sesame seeds.
After extensive testing at the allergist’s office, we learned that our little girl was allergic to wheat, dairy, oats, barley, rye, and even had a mild nut allergy. The wheat in that burger bun was likely responsible for the anaphylactic shock she experienced. This condition is no trivial matter; according to the ACAAI, anaphylaxis can cause severe symptoms such as throat swelling and loss of consciousness.
This revelation was terrifying. It dawned on us that countless items in our home contained wheat: pancake mix, cookies, cereals, and even certain body lotions! Suddenly, our entire diet seemed hazardous for our daughter. Although I knew a few people with celiac disease, I had never personally encountered someone with such a severe wheat allergy.
In response, we decided to be extremely cautious with food around the house. While we tried gluten-free products, we still consumed wheat-based foods. Managing crumbs from our toddler was a daunting task. After each meal, we would clean him up thoroughly and vacuum the kitchen before letting our daughter out of her high chair. Reflecting on it now, it was quite a chaotic way to live.
One night, we made pasta for dinner—wheat pasta for us and rice for her. Suddenly, Sarah noticed our daughter looked unwell. We feared she had come into contact with the wheat pasta, and without hesitation, we administered Benadryl. That was the last time we dared to have anything with wheat on the dinner table.
Now, our home is strictly wheat- and dairy-free, as it must be. We realized that no bowl of pasta was worth the risk of cross-contamination. Since making these changes, life has become much easier, and we haven’t faced any more emergencies. There’s a comforting sense of peace in our home now, despite the usual dinner chaos.
Food allergies have significantly impacted our lives, influencing simple activities like dining out or visiting friends and family. Explaining the seriousness of our daughter’s allergies can be uncomfortable, especially when it comes to ensuring other homes are safe. I know all too well how curious toddlers can be, and I want to avoid any trips to the ER.
I understand that many people may not grasp the severity of food allergies, as I was once in the dark myself. A small percentage of individuals experience such reactions, and it’s often not common knowledge. I frequently see young children at the playground with bagels in hand, and I believe greater awareness could make a difference for kids with allergies.
Taking responsibility is crucial, and sharing our story is my way of helping others navigate similar challenges. While it can be daunting, it is manageable with proactive measures.
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